Michael Phelps, who began the final chapter of his storied career with a golden hue as he helped the US men’s team to victory in the 4x100 metres freestyle relay to collect his 23rd Olympic medal.
Swimming second in the relay, Phelps took over from Caeleb Dressel, just 0.02 seconds behind France and in a few powerful strokes the 31-year-old gave his team the lead.
“Caeleb wanted to get out in open water, lead us off and the only thing I said to them ‘I’m going to try and get you guys as much open water as I can’,” said Phelps.
“I know how hard it is to swim in the wake in that race and I was going to do whatever I could to get them out front.”
Ryan Held increased the lead and London individual 100 freestyle champion Nathan Adrian brought them home.
It was not unusual to see Phelps, who returned for one last tilt at the Olympics after initially retiring following the London Games, standing on the podium, but it was to see the 19-time champion overcome with emotion.